Centrifugal separator



Sept. 13, 1938 DE MATTlA 2,129,992

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Filed April 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l A.DEMATTIASept. 13, 1938. A. DE MIATTIA 2,129,992

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Filed April 9, 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedSept. 13 1938 UNITED STATE-S PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention appertains to centrifugal separators, and moreespecially, to apparatus for separating solids from fluids.

One of the primary objects of the invention is 5 to provide a separatorof the above mentioned type wherein the separation of solids from fluidsmay be carried out in a continuous process, as. distinguished from thoseapparatus which require periodic charging of the mix into the sepa-e '10rator, requiring that the apparatus be stopped from time to time topermit the introduction of fresh batches of mix to be introduced intothe separating chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device forseparating solids from fluids, which device is so constructed as toattain a relatively high efliciency of separation, whereby the solidsmay be. substantially completely extracted from the fluids, or viceversa, without any material waste of the solids. To this end, theinvention contemplates the provision of a rotatable hollow shelldisposed with its central axis in a substantially vertical position, andhaving provision for introducing the mix into the same at r the upperend thereof, and discharge of the solids from the lower end, togetherwith screw blades mounted within the shell for rotation in the samedirection but at a speed slightly less than the speed of rotation of theshell, whereby to cause the screw blades or worm to slowly feed thesolids downwardly within the shell as the solids are separated from the.fluid, to a point where the solids may be discharged at the lower endof the shell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a separatordevice of the above mentioned type, an improved mounting which afiords asubstantial universal support for the relatively high speed centrifugalmechanism, whereby the same issubstantially self-centering to minimizethe likelihood of breakage or damage to the parts due to misalignment ofthe parts or unbalancing of the same. In attaining this object, theinvention contemplates the suspension of the separator shell and screwblades or worm mentioned above, from a universal bearing which aflords alimited cushioning movement of the mechanism which is suspendedtherefrom, in all directions laterally respecting the vertical axis.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter described, and the novel features thereof defined by theappended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a separator deviceconstructed in accordance with my invention, certain of the parts beingshown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectionalview taken approximately on the line2-2 of Figure 1, look- 5 ing in-the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a detail view, partly in section and partly in sideelevation, of the inner screw blade unit or worm which forms a part ofthe separator instrumentalities; 10

Figure 4 is a detail view, partly in section and partly in elevation, ofthe outer shell which forms the separating chamber in which the screwblades or worm of Figure 3 are mounted; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view of a separator unit, generallysimilar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, butillustrating a modified type of discharge for the solid materials,which, in this case, are adapted to be discharged in an axial direction,as distinguished from the lateral 20 type or discharge illustrated inthe other views.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings.

My improved separator device embodies primarily a motor means, generallydesignated M, differential gears D, and a separator unit, generallydesignated S, the latter unit being interconnected with the motor meansM through the intermediary of the gearing D in a manner here- 30 inaftermore particularly described.

As seen in Figure l, the motor M is preferably an electric motor havinga power output which is suflicient to drive the mechanisms hereinafterdescribed at the desired rate of speed, and it'is to be understood thatthe rate of speed of the motor will depend in a measure upon the type ofmaterial which is to be handled by the separator. As shown, the motor Mis mounted upon a suitable frame m, which in turn is mounted upon a baseI. The base I is secured to a supporting platform or table 2 in such amanner as to be substantially spaced above the same. To this end, Iprovide a series of tie bolts 3, which extend through the base i andtable 2 at spaced intervals, and in order to maintain the base i and theparts carried thereby elevated above the table 2, I provide spacers 4,which are nothing more than tubular sleeves encircling the tie bolts 9and interposed between the lower side of the base I and the upper sideof the table 2. Also encircling the tie bolts 3 at their upperextremities, and interposed between the heads 5 of the bolts and theupper side of the base I, I provide resilient cushion members or buffers6. These 55 members 8 may be composed of rubber, and serve to permit thebase I and the parts carried thereby to have a limited cushioned rockingmovement relatively to the table or platform 2. It is to be understoodthat I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction justdescribed, as the same may be modified in any desired manner to attainthe same results. Secured to the upper side of the table or platform 2,as by means of bolts 1, I provide a central bearing block 8, which hasformed in its upper end a partly spherical recess or socket 9 forreceiving therein a complementary, partly spherical head III formed atthe upper end of a hub II. This hub extends downwardly through a centralopening |2 in the bearing block 8, and also through a central opening l3in the table 2. As shown in Figure 1, both of these openings I2 and I3are substantially larger than the hub so as to permit the hub to have alimited lateral movement responsive to relative rocking movementbetween. the partly sphericalhead In and the bearing block 8. The headI0 is fixedly secured to the lower side of the base I by means of thebolts H which pass through the base and extend into the upper end of thehead It), with which the bolts |4 have threaded engagement. The hub Hand head I are provided with a continuous axial bore for receiving adrive shaft l5 which is freely rotatable therein. Thus the parts In andH constitute a bearing for the shaft I5. The drive shaft I5 is extendedupwardly beyond the upper end of the head I3, where it is fixed to themotorshaft by means of any suitable coupling such as the coupling l6. l1designates a thrust bearingwhich is seated in a recess provided thereforin the upper end of the head I0, and this thrust bearing is adapted totake care of axial thrusts imposed upon the shaft IS. The base isprovided with a central opening l8 through which the upper end of theshaft I5 is adapted to extend so as to enable the same to be coupled tothe motor shaft through means of the coupling l6. v

The drive shaft I5 is thus directly driven by the motor means M, and isextended substantially below the table or platform 2, as best seen inFigure 1. The separator unit S is mounted upon the lower end of thedrive shaft I5 so that practically the entire weight of the separatorunit is sustained by the drive shaft IS.

The separator unit proper is primarily composed of an outer hollow,two-part shell, generally designated H, and an inner screw blade, orblades, generally designated 20, which may be termed a worm. The twoparts of the shell I! are preferably composed of steel castings, theupper section 2| tapering upwardly and inwardly, and the lower section22 tapering downwardly and inwardly. In other words, the shell sections2| and 22 are frustro-conical in shape, and are dispose'd base-to-base.To facilitate assembly of the shell l9, and to permit the shell to'betaken apart to afford access to the interior thereof, the bases of theupper and lower shell sections 2| and 22 are flanged, as at 23 and 24respectively, these flanges being adapted to be disposed in abuttingrelation and secured together by any suitable fastening means'such asrivets 25. Instead of employing rivets for the purposes just mentioned,bolts may be substitutedtherefor, in which case, the shell I! may bemore quickly assembled or taken apart. The lower end of the lower shellsection 22 is closed, according to one form of my invention, by theimperforate head: or end wall 26. The upper end of the upper shellsection 2| is partially closed by the upper head or end wall 21. At thecenter of the upper end of the upper shell section 2|, I provide anupwardly extended spider or hopper 28, which may be formed separatelyand secured to the upper end wall 21, as by means of the bolts 29, orformed integrally with the upper shell section, whichever is preferred.The spider or hopper 28 is provided with a series of circumferentiallyspaced intake ports 30, through which the mixture of liquid and solidsis adapted to be introduced into the separator unit S for separation ofthe solids from the liquid. The intake ports 30 are preferably inclinedwith respect to the vertical in order to facilitate the passage of themixture through the ports 30 as the same rotate about the axis of theseparator unit. According to the construction illustrated in thedrawings, the intake ports 30 are formed by a series of radiallydisposed circumferentially spaced vanes 3|, and these vanes are inclinedfrom their lower edges to their upper edges in the direction of therotation thereof so that as the leading upper edges of the vanes 3| comeinto contact with the mix as it is directed into the upper end ofthe-hopper 28, they will serve to impel the mix downwardly through theports 30 and into the separator shell, as should be perfectlyobviousfrom inspection of Figures 1, 2 and 4.

The upper shell section 2| is provided with a series of liquid dischargeports 32, arranged in circumferentially spaced relation to each otherabout the periphery thereof, and adjacent to the upper end of this shellsection. To better control the discharge of theliquid as it escapesthrough the ports 32, I preferably provide a series of radially disposedspouts 33 arranged about the periphery of the upper shell section 2| incommunication with the discharge ports 32, and constitutin'g extensionsof said discharge ports.

In order to prevent the mix from passing directly to the discharge ports32 and spouts 33 after the same has been introduced into the separatorunit, I provide within the upper sh'ell section 2|, a depending shieldor hood 34 which is generally bell-shaped; that is to say, the shield 34flares downwardly and outwardly from the lower side of the intake ports30. As best seen in Figure 1, the shield 34 may be formed as an integralextension on the lower end of the spider or hopper 28, although it is tobe understod that it may be constructed separately from the hopper 28 ifdesired, in which case, it will be fixedly secured in any suitablemanner to the hopper 28 or the upper shell sectionv 2|. The shield isspaced inwardly from the inclined side walls of the upper shell section2|, and terminates at its lower extremity preferably just above the baseof the upper shell section, thus' providing an inner chamber or passage35 within the shield 34, and, together with the upper shell section, anannular chamber 36 within the upper shell section.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the hopper28, the shield 34 and the upper and lower shell sections 2| and 22respectively, are all rigidly secured together, and constitute a unitsuch as has been illustrated in Figure 4, which unit is fixedly securedto the lower extremity of the drive shaft l5, as by means of the nut 31,so as to be driven directly by the drive shaft |5 at the same speed asthis drive shaft is operated by the motor means M.

The screw blade unit or worm 20 is separate from the outer shell unitdescribed above, as will be best understood from reference to. Figure 3.

This unit 28 is composed oi. an elongated sleeve 38 which is adapted tobe mounted upon the drive shaft l5 in such manner that it is free torotate relatively to said drive shaft. Adjacent to the lower extremityof the sleeve 38, I provide upper and lower imperforate heads or plates39 and 48 respectively, these plates or heads being disclike in shape,and the upper plate 39 being substantially larger than the lower plate48. Fixedly secured to the outer margins of the plates 39 and 48 are aplurality of straps or bars 4|, these bars 4| being arranged incircumferentially spaced relation to each other, and extendingdownwardly from the upper plate 3.9 to the lower plate 48 g tion oneabove the other, the brackets being welded or otherwise fixedly securedto the outer faces of the bars. These brackets 42 serve to support thehelical blade or blades 43, which are wound edgewise about the bars 4|.As illustrated in the drawings, the blades 43 are wound as a doublehelix, which is to say, there are two separate blades, each of which ispreferably continuous from top to bottom. y extremities of the separateblades should be displaced 180 degrees from each other about the axis ofthe unit 28, as will be best understo d from reference to Figures 1 and3. The pitch of the blades is such that when the worm unit 28 is rotatedin the same direction as the outer shell unit I9, at a speed slightlyless than the speed of rotation of the outer shell unit, the blades 43will act to feed the material which is engaged by the blades in adownward direction within the outer shell unit. The upper extremities ofthe blades 43 are preferably extended upwardly, as shown at 44 and 45,so as to provide upwardly extending paddlelike members at diametricallyopposite points at the upper end of the worm unit 28.

As previously mentioned. the sleeve 38 is adapted to be mounted on thelower end of the drive shaft l5. and when so mounted, the worm unit 28will be disposed within the lower shell section 22 of the shell unit I9,as seen in Figure 1.

The upper head or plate 39 liesslightly spaced below the lower extremityof the shield or guard 34, thereby forming an annular passage 48 betweenthe lower extremity of the shield 34 and the plate 39 which permits thematerials introduced into the hopper 28 and chamber 35 to pass outwardlytherethrough into the annular chamber 36 where the separation of thesolids from the liquid primarily takes place. As will be seen fromFigure 1, the outer edges of the blades 43 which comprise the worm,closely engage the inner face of the lateral inclined wall of the lowershell section 22 so that when the worm is rotated at a speed .atintervals so as to prevent the fluid-from being trapped between theblades and retained in the separator when operation thereof isdiscontinued.

The worm unit 28 is adapted tobe driven by the drive shaft i5through.the intermediary of a differential gear mechanism D which willnow In such a case, the upper be described. As seen in Figure 1, theupper extremity of the sleeve 38 terminates below the lower extremity ofthe hub H, and intermediate these parts there is provided a carrierplate 48, which is fixedly secured in any suitable manner to the driveshaft 15 for rotation therewith. The carrier plate 48 carries atdiametrically opposite sides of its axis the planetary gears 49 and 58.Each pair of gears 49, 58 is fixed on a common shaft 5| which isrotatably mounted in the carrier plate 48. The gears 49 are disposed atthe upper side of the plate 48, and the gears 58 are disposed at thelower side of the .plate 48. Fixedly secured to the lower extremity ofthe hub II, is a pinion 52, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth ofthe upper planetary gears 49. The

lower planetary gears 58 mesh with a pinion 53 which is fixedly securedto the upper end of the sleeve 38. Thus when the drive shaft I 5 isrotated, it causes the carrier plate 48 to rotate with it, and therotation of the carrier plate 48 moves the gears 49 around the fixedpinion 52 with a planetary motion, thereby causing the shafts 5| torotate and transmit power to the lower planetary gears 58, which in turntransmit power to the pinion 53 to impart rotation to the sleeve 38. Thesizes of the various gears and pinions and their number of teeth will bedetermined by the speed of the motor M and the relative difference inspeed desired between the shell l9 and worm 28 of the separator unit S.I have found that a motor speed of 1280 R. P. M. and a worm speed ofapproximately 980 R. P. M. are satisfactory under ordinary conditions ofuse and afford efiicient separation of the solids from the liquid in theaverage mixture. In such a case, the pinion 52 will have twenty-fourteeth, the gears 49 forty teeth, the gears 58 fifteen teeth and thepinion 53 forty-nine teeth. It is to be understood, however, that I donot wish to be limited to these precise gear ratios and speeds, as thesame may be varied, to accord with the type of mixture which is to behandled by the separator.

The differential gear mechanism D is preferably enclosed in a housing54, and this housing 54 is removably secured by means of bolts 55 to asupporting yoke or hanger 5B which is fixedly secured to the hub II. Thehousing 54 is adapted to contain a suitable lubricant for lubricatingthe gear unit, and to prevent the lubricant from leaking out around thesleeve 38 at the bottom of the housing, I preferably provide a stufllngbox, generally designated 51. 58 designates a splash plate or guardwhich extends at least partially over the gear unit at the upper end ofthe housing to prevent the lubricant in the housing from being thrownupwardly out of the, housing during the operation of the gear mechanism.1

The operation of the separator apparatus may be briefly summarized asfollows: The mixture of fluid and solids is led from a suitable source,such as a vat or tank T, through a conduit 59 having a control valve Vtherein to control the rate of flow of the mixture to theseparator unitS, the discharge end 68 of the conduit being-disposed over the hopper 28at the upper end of the separator unit. The separator unit S ispreferably started up and brought up to operating speed before thecontrol valve V is opened to allow the mixture to pass into the hopper.When the mixture enters the hopper 28, it passes downwardly through theintake' ports 38 and into the chamber 35 within the downwardly andoutwardly flaring guard or shield 34, where it spreads outwardly awayfrom the axis of the separator unit under the centrifugal action. Themixture continues through the inner chamber 35 and escapes outwardlythrough the annular passage 46 between the lower extremity of the shield34 and the upper head or plate 39 of the worm unit 20, and enters the.space 36 between the shield 34 and the outer shell l9. Inthis space, theseparation of the solids from the liquid takes place, and the liquidrises in the chamber 36 and passes outwardly from the shell through theports 32 and spouts 33, the solidspassing downwardly into engagementwith the blades 43 which are rotating in the same direction as theshell, but at a slightly lower speed. The blades 43 gradually and slowlyfeed the solids downwardly in the lower shell section 22, from the lowerend of which they are ultimately discharged through the outlets 41 intoa suitable container or receptacle R, where they may be collected forsuitable disposition of the same. As the separation takes place in thespace 36, the paddle-like extremities 44 and 45 of the blades 43 slowlystir the mixture and facilitate the complete separation of the solidsfrom the liquid.

In order to conveniently dispose of the fluids which are thrown offduring the separating action above described, I preferably provide acollecting pan or tray, generally designated 6|, this pan being composedof annularly arranged inner and outer walls 62 and 63 respectively,which are interconnected at their lower ends by a bottom wall 64,forming a trough 65 of suitable depth. As the liquid collects in thistrough 65, it drains through an outlet 66 which may be extended to anydesired point for disposal of the fluid. The inner and outer walls 62and 63 are spaced from the separator unit S so as not to interfere withthe rotation thereof, and as illustrated in Figure 1. the walls 62 and63 are inclined so as to be disposed substantially parallel with theouter peripheral wall of the upper shell section 2|.

' The outer wall 63 of the fluid collecting tray or pan is extendedupwardly to a point above the fluid outlet spouts 33 so as to deflectthe fluid downwardly into the trough 65 as the same" is thrown out ofthe spouts by the rapid rotary motion of the separator shell.

Due to the provision of the universal bearing afiorded by the parts 8and ill, previously described, which bearing parts serve to support theweight ofthe entire apparatus, any inadvertent or accidental unbalancingof the apparatus during operation will be accommodated by theself-centering action of the bearing parts. Any vibrations due to anunbalanced condition will be absorbed or yieldably cushioned by reasonof the provision of the resilient cushion members 6 previouslydescribed.

To prevent the partly spherical head Ill from rotating in the socket 9of the bearing block 8, during rotation of the drive shaft I5, there isprovided a recess 66 in the bearing block 8 at the upper end thereofwhich is adapted to receive therein a laterally projecting stud or pin61 which is fixed to one side of the head I. The recess 66 issufiiciently large to allow a limited amount of play for the pin or stud61, having in mind that the head I is intended to be movable relativelyto the bearing member 8 to carry out its self-centering function.

The fluid collecting pan or tray 6| may be fixedly mounted in anysuitable manner so that it will be held stationary. 68 designatessuspension brackets or hangers by means of which the tray 6| may besecured to the table or platform 2 to support the tray at the properelevation respecting the fluid discharge spouts 33.

Referring to Figure 5, I have shown a slightly modified form of shellfor the separator unit S, which is adapted to effect an axial dischargeof the solids from the bottom of the separator unit, as distinguishedfrom the radial discharge resulting from the'provision of the dischargeports 41 as arranged in Figures 1 and 4. In this modified construction,the lower shell section 22' is provided at its lower end with aperforate spider 26', affording downwardly opening discharge outlets 41disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals about the axis of theseparator. If desired, the spider 26' may be provided with a series ofradially disposed vanes 69 which are inclined in a manner similar to thevanes 3| within the hopper 28. In other words, the spider 26' may be ofa construction which is generally similar to the upper hopper 28 withthe inclined vanes 69 serving .to facilitatethe discharge of the solidsthrough the bottom of the separator shell.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, theinvention is not confined thereto, as changes and alterations may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof, as defined by theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is- 1. A centrifugal separator of the classdescribed, comprising a shell composed of two sections of generallyfrustro-conical configuration secured base-to-base, a downwardlyoutwardly flaring annular shield disposed within the upper shell sectionin spaced relation to the peripheral wall thereof, said upper shellsection being provided with a central intake'hopper at its upper endopening into the space within the shield aforesaid, and also providedwith a plurality of fluid outlet ports in its peripheral wall adjacentto the upper end thereof and communicating directly with the annularspace between the peripheral wall of the upper shell and the shield,said shield extending downwardly within the upper shell at least asubstantial distance below the fluid outlet ports, a helical screw bladecoaxially mounted within the lower shell section and arranged to contactthe peripheral wall thereof, said screw bla/debeing secured to aplurality of inclined bars arranged in circumferentially spaced relationto each other, and the bars being secured to the outer margins of a pairof axially spaced imperforate disc-like heads, one of which heads isdisposed in a position spaced slightly below the lower extremity of theshield aforesaid to provide an annular passage therebetween, said lowershell section having a discharge opening at its lower extremity throughwhich solid materials are adapted to be discharged, and means forrotating the shell aforesaid and screw blade in the same direction abouttheir common axis but at relatively differ ent speeds, whereby to causethe fluid of a mixture of fluid and solid matter to be separated anddischarged through the aforementioned outlet ports, and the solid matterto be positively fed by the screw blade to the lower discharge openingthrough which it is adapted to be discharged when the mixture isintroduced into the shell through the hopper aforesaid. and subjected tothe centrifugal force produced by the rotatable parts.

2. In a centrifugal separator of the class described, including coactingrotary parts coaxially arranged for rotation in the same direction butat relatively different speeds about a common vertical axis, and meansfor admitting a mixture thereto and for separately discharging therefromthe fiuid and solid portions of said mixture responsive to thecentrifugal action of said parts thereon, driving means for said rotaryparts comprising a vertically disposed drive shaft operatively connectedto one of said parts and serving to suspend the same at the lower endthereof a sleeve rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and operativelyconnected thereto and to the other of said rotary parts so as to producedifferential rotation thereof, and a self-centering support for saiddrive shaft, the latter including a fixed part having a partly sphericalsocket formed in its upper side, a hub embracing the upper end of saiddrive shaft and extending through said fixed part and having a partlyspherical head provided at its upper end, which head is adapted to beseated in the socket aforesaid, and coacting abutment means extendingbetween the head and the spherical socket aforesaid for positivelyrestraining said head against rotary movement within the socket relativeto the axis thereof, but permitting axial rocking movement of the headin the socket.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in combination with motor meansmounted upon the upper end of saidhead soas to be supported thereby andoperatively connected with the drive shaft, and means disposedintermediate the motor means and fixed part aforesaid for yieldablycushioning the rocking movement of said motor means responsive to axialrocking movement of the supporting head.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in com-. bination with motor meansmounted upon the upper end of said head so as to be supported therebyand operatively connected with the drive shaft, and means disposedintermediate the motor means and fixed part aforesaid and arranged insubstantially radially spaced relation to the axis of the supportinghead for yieldably cushioning the rocking movement of said motor meansresponsive to axial rocking movement of the supporting head.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in combination with motor meansmounted upon the upper end of said head so as to be supported therebyand operatively connected with the drive shaft, and means disposedintermediate the motor means and fixed part aforesaid and arranged insubstantially radially spaced relation to the axis of the supportinghead for yieldably cushioning the rocking movement of said motor meansresponsive tov axial rocking movement of the supporting head, said lastnamed means comprising a plurality of vertically disposed tie bolts, andeach of said tie bolts having a resilient buffer mounted on the end ofthe same intermediate its head and the motor means.

ANTHONY DE MA'ITIA.

